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Microsoft faces court battle in £2bn Windows Server class action
Winsage
April 23, 2026

Microsoft faces court battle in £2bn Windows Server class action

The Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT) has approved a £2 billion class action against Microsoft, aimed at compensating approximately 59,000 businesses using the Windows Server operating system in non-Microsoft public clouds. The collective action, led by Maria Luisa Stasi, alleges that Microsoft has overcharged UK entities for Windows Server on competing cloud services. The tribunal dismissed Microsoft's objections and granted a Collective Proceedings Order on an opt-out basis. The class action addresses two main issues: pricing abuse related to the Microsoft Service Provider License Agreement (SPLA) and re-licensing abuse concerning the deployment of Windows Server on Azure versus other cloud providers. The UK Competition and Markets Authority is also investigating Microsoft's software licensing practices within the cloud market. James Hain-Cole from law firm Scott+Scott expressed satisfaction with the tribunal's decision, emphasizing its significance for securing compensation for affected businesses.
Ex Ashes of Creation boss Steven Sharif claims he was advised against a $250 million proposal from Riot Games to buy the MMORPG
AppWizard
April 16, 2026

Ex Ashes of Creation boss Steven Sharif claims he was advised against a $250 million proposal from Riot Games to buy the MMORPG

Steven Sharif, former founder and game director of Intrepid Studios, alleges a "deliberate misinformation and defamation campaign" against him amid ongoing legal battles with investors led by Robert Dawson. He claims to have received a 0 million acquisition offer from Riot Games, which he was advised to reject. Sharif posted a 3,700-word statement on Reddit, including court filings with witness declarations from former staff and statements from investors. Riot Games co-founder Marc Merrill clarified that while they considered acquiring Intrepid, they ultimately decided not to proceed. Sharif accuses Dawson of orchestrating a defamation effort and claims that investor Jason Caramanis sought to intimidate him. Additionally, TFE Games Holdings has filed a separate lawsuit against Sharif for allegedly misappropriating funds. Sharif asserts that he believed the company was financially stable before its shutdown and that access to financial details was limited after a control shift in 2024.
Another rival is coming for Google over its app store practices
AppWizard
April 15, 2026

Another rival is coming for Google over its app store practices

Aptoide has filed a federal antitrust lawsuit against Google in the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of California, claiming that Google's practices create an uneven playing field for independent app stores. The lawsuit accuses Google of using tactics that hinder competition in Android app distribution and in-app billing, particularly through OEM lock-in agreements and developer exclusivity deals. Aptoide asserts that these practices restrict access to the Android ecosystem and create barriers for users seeking alternatives to the Google Play Store. The company has over 200 million direct users annually and a catalog of approximately 436,000 apps. Aptoide argues that Google's actions have stifled its ability to compete effectively on pricing and policy. Google has not yet responded to Aptoide's allegations.
Rival Aptoide sues Google in U.S. over alleged Android app store monopoly
AppWizard
April 15, 2026

Rival Aptoide sues Google in U.S. over alleged Android app store monopoly

A Portuguese app store, Aptoide, has filed a lawsuit against Google in a U.S. federal court, alleging monopolistic practices that hinder competition in the Android ecosystem. Aptoide claims that Google controls app distribution and in-app billing systems, violating U.S. antitrust laws. The company argues that it could compete more effectively against Google's pricing and policies if not for what it describes as an "anticompetitive chokehold." Aptoide alleges it is directed away from exclusive content and is excluded from accessing critical services, which harms its business. The lawsuit seeks to stop these practices and demands unspecified triple damages. Aptoide has approximately 436,000 apps and serves over 200 million annual users. This lawsuit follows Aptoide's previous complaint against Google with EU regulators in 2014. The case adds to Google's ongoing antitrust issues, including a recent agreement to modify its practices following a legal battle with Epic Games and a separate ruling declaring Google's search engine an illegal monopoly.
Is the tide turning? Jury holds YouTube and Meta accountable for addictive apps
AppWizard
March 25, 2026

Is the tide turning? Jury holds YouTube and Meta accountable for addictive apps

A jury has found YouTube and Meta liable for millions due to negligent and addictive app design, following a lawsuit by K.G.M., who experienced severe mental distress linked to her use of these platforms during her teenage years. K.G.M. filed her lawsuit in 2023, citing struggles with body dysmorphia and self-harm as a direct result of her experiences on these platforms. TikTok and Snap settled out of court, while YouTube and Meta contested the claims. The jury's ruling mandates that Meta and YouTube pay millions in compensatory damages, with Meta responsible for the majority. A spokesperson for Google disagreed with the verdict and stated intentions to appeal.
Federal Circuit Finds that Antivirus Software is Abstract and Remands for Alice, Step Two
Tech Optimizer
March 19, 2026

Federal Circuit Finds that Antivirus Software is Abstract and Remands for Alice, Step Two

Columbia University faced a setback in its patent dispute with Gen Digital Inc. regarding U.S. Patents 8,074,115 and 8,601,322, which relate to an innovative virus detection method developed in the early 2000s. The method involved evaluating the behavior of suspicious code using an emulator and a model of expected behavior derived from data across interconnected computers. Columbia initiated legal proceedings in 2013, and after various developments, a jury awarded Columbia over million in royalties for willful infringement in 2022. However, the Federal Circuit ruled that the patent claims were not sufficiently specific and remanded the case for further examination of whether the claims could constitute an inventive concept. The ruling emphasized that patent eligibility is determined by the precise language of the claims.
In a wild turn for the Subnautica 2 lawsuit, a judge orders Krafton to restore fired Unknown Worlds CEO and gives them 9 more months to earn $250 million bonus
AppWizard
March 19, 2026

In a wild turn for the Subnautica 2 lawsuit, a judge orders Krafton to restore fired Unknown Worlds CEO and gives them 9 more months to earn $250 million bonus

A judge has ruled in favor of former CEO Ted Gill, ordering his reinstatement at Unknown Worlds, the studio behind Subnautica 2, after Krafton breached the Equity Purchase Agreement by terminating key employees without just cause. The ruling emphasized that Krafton's actions were motivated by a desire to avoid a 0 million earnout, now extended to at least September 15, 2026. The judge stated that Krafton sought justification for the terminations after the fact, which is deemed unacceptable. While Gill is reinstated, the court did not restore co-founder Max McGuire and designer Charlie Cleveland, leaving their return to Gill's discretion. Krafton is considering whether to appeal the ruling and acknowledged that it does not resolve the former executives’ claims for damages or the earnout. Krafton also reported that CEO Kim Chang-han earned over 8 billion won (approximately .4 million) in compensation.
Addicted Gamer Sues Fortnite and Minecraft Over Video Game Addiction
AppWizard
January 30, 2026

Addicted Gamer Sues Fortnite and Minecraft Over Video Game Addiction

A US gamer, Cayden Breeden, has filed a lawsuit against Epic Games, Microsoft Corporation, and Mojang Studios in New York, claiming that Fortnite and Minecraft are designed to exacerbate video game addiction. The lawsuit alleges that the companies failed to inform players about the dangers of excessive gaming and did not implement safeguards against compulsive gaming, which Breeden characterizes as negligent and fraudulent. He describes his gaming habits as compulsive, leading to withdrawal-like symptoms when not playing, and seeks compensation for pain, suffering, emotional distress, and related costs. The case argues that the design mechanics of both games promote extended play and addictive behaviors, despite lacking traditional gambling elements. This lawsuit is part of a growing trend of legal actions against gaming companies in the US. Community reactions on Reddit have varied, with some users expressing skepticism about the lawsuit's viability and others discussing the balance between personal responsibility and corporate accountability in game design. The outcome of the case could impact future game design and regulatory compliance in the industry. No formal statements have been made by the defendants regarding the lawsuit.
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